Page 886 - bible

880 Ecclesiasticus

6 He shone in his days as the morning star in adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the
the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full. Almighty God the most High.
7 And as the sun when it shineth, so did he 20 And the singers lifted up their voices, and
shine in the temple of God. in the great house the sound of sweet melody was
8 And as the rainbow giving light in bright increased.
clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days
21 And the people in prayer besought the Lord
of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the
the most High, until the worship of the Lord was
brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling
perfected, and they had finished their office.
frankincense in the time of summer.
9 As a bright fire, and frankincense burning in 22 Then coming down, he lifted up his hands
the fire. over all the congregation of the children of Israel,
to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory
10 As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with
every precious stone. in his name:
11 As an olive tree budding forth, and a cy- 23 And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew
press tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the power of God.
the robe of glory, and was clothed with the per- 24 And now pray ye to the God of all, who
fection of power. hath done great things in all the earth, who hath
12 When he went up to the holy altar, he hon- increased our days from our mother’s womb, and
oured the vesture of holiness. hath done with us according to his mercy.
13 And when he took the portions out of the
25 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and
hands of the priests, he himself stood by the al-
that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
tar. And about him was the ring of his brethren:
and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus, 26 That Israel may believe that the mercy of
God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
14 And as branches of palm trees, they stood
round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in 27 There are two nations which my soul ab-
their glory. horreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate:
15 And the oblation of the Lord was in their 28 They that sit on mount Seir, and the
hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and
Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in
finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the Sichem.
offering of the most high King,
29 Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath
16 He stretched forth his hand to make a li-
written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and
bation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
17 He poured out at the foot of the altar a
divine odour to the most high Prince. 30 Blessed is he that is conversant in these
18 Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they good things and he that layeth them up in his
sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great heart, shall be wise always.
noise to be heard for a remembrance before God. 31 For if he do them, he shall be strong to do
19 Then all the people together made haste, all things: because the light of God guideth his
and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to steps.